USA Today via Reuters
Naomi Osaka of Japan hits the ball against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the women’s singles final match on day 13 of the 2020 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports | Credits: Reuters
USA Today via Reuters
Naomi Osaka of Japan hits the ball against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the women’s singles final match on day 13 of the 2020 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports | Credits: Reuters
The three-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka is the first Japanese-born tennis player to win a major singles title. From being World No. 1 to now being World No. 3, she has played with four different coaches. Presently, the 23-year-old Osaka is coached by Belgium’s Wim Fissette.
Known to have coached Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, Simona Halep, and Angelique Kerber, Fissette found the right balance with Osaka. He was appointed at the start of the 2020 season, and he and Naomi meant business right from the beginning.
via Reuters
Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates with the championship trophy after her match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus (not pictured) in the women’s singles final on day thirteen of the 2020 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. |REUTERS
Naomi Osaka emerges as the winner at the US Open 2020
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
After winning two consecutive Grand Slams at the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open, Osaka reclaimed the title in New York this year. It brought her ‘Grand Slam a year’ streak to three. For this, a lot of credit goes to her coach Fissette for bringing her back to the top.
.@naomiosaka will be coached by Belgian @wimfissette for the 2020 season.
–> https://t.co/B7M96xp1Sp#大坂なおみ pic.twitter.com/P8K5oK2ZD0— wta (@WTA) December 15, 2019
The Belgian coach is also constantly uplifting his player in media and backing her up even on her off-court activities. Even though it has been only one pandemic-ridden season, Osaka and Fissette are already in-game for the long term.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 12 2020; Flushing Meadows, New York, USA; Naomi Osaka of Japan reaches for a backhand against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus (not pictured) in the women’s singles final on day thirteen of the 2020 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports | Credits: Reuters
Naomi Osaka’s past coaches
Sascha Bajin is responsible for Naomi’s first two Grand Slams. A highly regarded coach, Bajin had experience coaching Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, and Caroline Wozniacki. However, due to personal reasons, Osaka moved on from Bajin to Jermaine Jenkins.
Thank you 🙏 pic.twitter.com/lezK48041H
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) September 12, 2019
A former hitting partner of seven- time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams, Jermaine’s role in Osaka’s career didn’t last more than a year. However, unlike with Bajin, they both parted ways on a good note.
This gave Naomi’s father the opportunity to be the captain of the ship. Alongside Francois, Naomi surged back to her winning ways, scoring two titles and 11 consecutive matches. But in need of a complete coach, she booked Fissette before the 2020 season.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
View this post on Instagram
Wim Fissette before coaching Osaka
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Before Osaka’s 2020 US Open win, Fissette won three Grand Slams with Clijsters and one with Kerber. He also helped Lisicki and Halep reach the finals of a Grand Slam event. Now, Fissette and Osaka will next charge to the 2021 Australian Open, where Fisette reigned two years ago.
Also Read: Naomi Osaka Announces Australian Open 2021 Decision
